Folding table



(No ModeL). 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. E. OONWELL.

FOLDING TAB-LE.

No. 353,923. Patented 1160.7, 1886.

WITNESSES (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. E.- GONWELL. FOLDING TABLE.

Patented Dec. 7, 1886.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER E. OONWELL, OF PITTSBURG, KANSAS.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,923, dated December 7, 1886.

Application filed June 3, 1886. Serial No. 204,063. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER E. OoNwELL, a citizen of the United States of America, resid-. ing at Pittsburg, in the county of Crawford and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon,wl1ich form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved folding table which is especially adapted for the use of paper-hangers; and my invention consists in the construction and combination of the parts constituting the table, as will be hereinafter fully set forth,and specifically pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the portable table, showing the parts folded upon each other. Fig. 2 is abottom or plan view of the table opened. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the table in a position for use, and Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View.

The table proper is made up of two sections, A and .A, said sections consisting of rectangular frames B B,which consist of longitudinal rails a a and end rails, b, which are rigidly secured to each other by triangular corner-pieces c and cross-bars d, which are located at the central portion of the longitudinal strips a a. Each of these sections A and A is covered with canvas or other textile fabric B, which is tightly stretched over the frame and secured to the edges thereof by means of tacks, thus providing a top which will be extremely light and will be sufficiently rigid for paper-hangers use. The sections A and A are each provided with rule-hinges e e, which have down- Wardly-projecting portions 6, through which pass the connecting-bolt, said connecting-bolt being on a line with the lower edge of the frames, th as permitting the frames to be folded upon each other, as shown in Fig. 1. Each section of the hinges is provided with outwardly-projecting portions f j, which abut against each other when the table is placed in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and said outwardly-proj ecting portions arelocked upon each other by a Spring catch-bar, E, which is provided with a recess which fits over said projecting portions. The free end of the springbar E has a thumb-piece for elevating the same vided with metallic stops which are secured thereto, the ends of said stops being bent so as to provide a recess between the same and the side rails,witl1in which recesses the ends of the pieces h, which are attached to the legs, lie. These pieces h are pivoted to the side rails, a, and are rigidly secured to the upper portion of the legs G. When the legs are folded within the frames, their lower ends will rest upon the triangular pieces 0 at the opposite ends of the frame, and when they are elevated, as shownin Figs. 2,3,and4, the parts hwill bear against the vertical portions of the bent straps g.

z refers to brace-rods which are attached to eyes secured to the center portion of the end rails, b, said bars having hooked ends, which engage with staples attached to the legs G for holding the same in position. The outer side of one of the rails a is provided with rings to which may be attached straps H, for carrying the device, and said rails are also provided near their outer ends with books I, for securing the said pieces to each other when they are folded, as shown in Fig. 1.

' I am aware that prior to my invention it has been proposed to construct tables which can be folded upon each other, so as to provide the interior with recesses for the reception of implements, and I make no broad claim upon such construction; but

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, in a folding table, of the sections A and A, having coverings of textile l'abric tightly stretched over and attached to the side rails thereof, triangular braces c, at-

tached to the side rails and on a line with the In testimony whereof I affix my signature in upper edges thereof, the folding legs G, pivpresence of two witnesses. oted. to the side rails a, and adapted when folded to bear upon the triangular braces at ELMER OONWELL' 5 the opposite end of the section to which they Witnesses:

are pivoted, substantially as shown, and for CHARLES H. COAN, the purpose set forth. ALBERT L. MGARTHUR. 

